Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Cost of living

Stretching your budget? Share tips and advice to discuss budgeting and energy saving here. For the latest deals and discounts, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Frugaleers saving and chatting through April

999 replies

SunnyLikeThursday · 28/03/2017 13:16

Newbies welcome to join us for a bit of chat about budgeting, saving, paying off debt, and everything else that comes along.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
39
Taytocrisps · 15/04/2017 10:19

Morning. It's a nice sunny morning here so I'm hoping to get some washing done.

It won't be a NSD as I've to buy some veg for dinner tomorrow (and maybe a nice cake or something).

Looking forward to my mini eggs Easter egg tomorrow.

We watched 'The BFG' last night and we all loved it.

thewaitresses · 15/04/2017 10:19

A quick question on UV sunsuits...

we have some second hand ones - does the 'uv' wear out Confused?

If I need to buy new I have some M&S vouchers but their sunsuits don't say they're UV in the description - surely they would be?

TU and George have some cheaper options which are UV but they don't come with hats Angry

Confused by choice! (and making an effort to be frugal rather than just ordering from John Lewis Blush)

ememem84 · 15/04/2017 10:51

tayto im no expert on uv or sunsuits it's only been in the last few years dh has persuaded me to use sunscreen

But I'd have thought that they'd say the uv protection on the suits. I'd probably use vouchers for the m&s ones though then slap a ton of factor a million sunscreen on the kids. Just to be safe.

Taytocrisps · 15/04/2017 11:14

I'd have thought the sunsuits would have a uv label also.

I don't know if the uv protection wears out.

LonelyOversharer · 15/04/2017 11:22

Drizzle stopped play here. Dd3 and ds were gasp helping me, turning over the compost in the raised beds in the front garden. I've got nematodes to try to kill the slug invasion before my plants go in, so was prepping for that. Sun is out now Hmm

Hot cross buns were scrum! Almost all gone, spiced like traditional ones, then you get a mouthfull of chocolate! I'll make them again. Dp was a bit miffed, as he considers bread 'his' thing. Still he ate loads of them.

Quiet day here, am going to potter in the garden. I saw a good thing on pintrest, putting a compost heap in with the hens, they turn it over and eat the bugs etc. So might do that. I certainly have enough weeds! They look better with a bale of straw split in the pen, poor things get so muddy.

waitress I think it depends how 'second hand' the suits are, used once for a holiday = ok, worn twice a week swimming, material lost its stretch and almost see through = replace! Our hand me downs (I have 3 girls) fall in between, so I go for lots of sunscreen, even underneath the suits.

My parcel from suttons arrived - a single packet of carrot seeds. Huh. All the rest is backdated.

Taytocrisps · 15/04/2017 11:52

I'm impressed (and embarrassed) at all your gardening efforts. I ignore the garden most of the year and then spring rolls around and I admire the daffodils and tulips in everyone's garden and wish I'd made more of an effort. DH planted some weird shrubs in the front garden and they're growing bigger but they're ugly. I call 'em triffids. We'll have to chop them down or cut them out at some point because they're growing too big for the border they've been planted in.

CremeEggThief · 15/04/2017 12:37

Just had 2 hot cross buns with marmalade and proper coffee for breakfast. Le yum! Glad yours turned out so well, Lonely.

Syrup of figs reminds me of my Granny. She used to give us some every night when we stayed with her, as in common with a lot of older folk then, she had a bit of a thing about keeping children "regular". When we really needed a bit of help, she brought out the Milk of Magnesia. Vile stuff, although the bottle was the most gorgeous shade of navy blue.

Loveabaconsandwich · 15/04/2017 12:57

Hoping for a NSD unless we go out to buy some frozen peas

Visits to family all done so now we can just relax for the rest of the long weekend (and eat chocolate)

fluffy is there any logic to when VO surveys go on the site? I normally get one first thing and then maybe a couple in the evening.

Could whoever bought the saucepans which stack inside themselves let me know what your ones are called please? There are a few out there but I know you rated a certain set

Fluffycloudland77 · 15/04/2017 13:10

It seems to early morning, then about 5. I keep the survey invite emails & click on them, sometimes you get a survey that way too.

SnugglySnerd · 15/04/2017 13:17

Oh I love Brimham Rocks, enjoy!

Can't believe they are 7 months already, Waitresses. Mine are 5 weeks. I'm shattered!

Fluffycloudland77 · 15/04/2017 13:51

Cag Have you had your scan yet?. Is baby ok?.

Snugg 5 weeks already 😊 I'm not surprised you're shattered. 3 little humans rely on you! I find the cat enough effort.

£30 spray tan contouring course. In Stockport, 3 hours away on a Monday morning. I'm going to look into hotels nearby. Best to arrive fresh if I'm going to be in my knickers in front of half a dozen other women.

ChristmasSeacow · 15/04/2017 14:29

Hello, just popped on to see whether there was any news of Cag's scan and to catch up.

I second syrup of figs Em. I give a teaspoon to DS daily because he refuses to take his prescription Movicol. I dont find it particularly cheap since we use it every day, it's about £6 for a small bottle round here. I usually get it from amazon although our local independent chemist also sells it.

Nails look great Fluffy. Wish you were near me, I'd trust you to do mine (the last and only person to give me a pedicure cut the nails right down at the sides Hmm)

Northender your DS and DH must be quite happy with the team's progress at the moment? My dad has been boring me with telling me all about it Wink

I love cooking but have never made my own hot cross buns. DH doesn't like them and I am not bothered enough for myself. I am making an apple and walnut cake with toffee topping today though, yum.

Meadow they were talking about PIP on The Last Leg last night, and what a disgrace it is. Did you see it?

We made it to be bluebell woods yesterday and they were looking amazing. I got a few nice shots of DS and DH - every year I see other people's 'kids in bluebells' shots (lots of them professionals) and wonder why I don't manage to get such good pics when I have a good camera and know how to use it. One of the pros was doing a shoot in the woods when we were there and I realised that having a child who is willing to pose and sit still makes all the difference! DS won't do any of that, it's all purely opportunistic! Anyway, he really enjoyed the walk too so it was a success.

Then we went to visit our friends' new house. It's about twice the size of ours and gorgeous but apart from their dressing room space and a big walk-in pantry I am not too Envy. I like where we live. I took a rose bush as a housewarming gift - a particular one that has significance to me and my friend. She was very pleased.

Lots of cooking to do this weekend, better crack on!

ChristmasSeacow · 15/04/2017 14:37

I have mini egg nails

Frugaleers saving and chatting through April
thewaitresses · 15/04/2017 14:43

Ah snuggly 5 weeks 😍! I bet you are shattered! How is your DD adapting to life as a big sis to two babies!!?

I decided to go with the M&S ones as we had vouchers from Christmas which id been saving for something useful - surely they must offer sun protection!! - thanks for all the help!

I've also spent £45 today on some long-planned face care purchases - some Le Roche Pose UV50 face cream and CC cream. Pricey, but with fair and wrinkly skin I need all the help in the sun I can get! Impulse bought a waterproof mascara and a hair-dye.

SunnyLikeThursday · 15/04/2017 15:07

tayto I've always admired everyone else's bulbs too, but this year I ordered loads from a wholesaler for cheap and now the view from my kitchen window looks like the Botanic Gardens. This is where I went:
www.dutchbulbs.co.uk I would definitely recommend them.

We've had a good weekend so far. The toy company that sent me things have been pleased with what I did and are thinking of signing me up as a tester. I'm really chuffed with that. Struggling with the photography lighting, but I can work on that.

OP posts:
Cagliostro · 15/04/2017 15:17

I promised you guys would be the first to know after my scan so...
Baby has a good strong heartbeat and is due mid November :)

scattyspice · 15/04/2017 15:17

Hi folks, I'd like to try again, I joined this thread briefly before Xmas but didn't stick at it Blush. I need to get back on it as money pouring out in all directions at the moment. I've increased my hours at work as much as I can. I also need to get the kids on board a bit more.
Today should have been a NSD but spent £3 on ice creams at the park (see what I mean? )
Will go and read the rest of the thread now.

Fluffycloudland77 · 15/04/2017 15:23

Ooh a November Caglet! Congratulations.

Welcome back spice

ChristmasSeacow · 15/04/2017 15:33

Great news Cag though I can't work backwards... how far are you now then?

Welcome to the new people and re-joiners.

Cagliostro · 15/04/2017 16:36

Am only 9 weeks! So less than I thought!

Gives me longer to panic prepare though 😂

LonelyOversharer · 15/04/2017 16:58

cag Easter Smile brilliant news, am so pleased for you! Thanks for letting us know!

Been out to pick up the easter eggs I had stashed at the shop, and got lots of 20p veg from asda, plus a £1.60 large chicken as they were just marking the meat down, as the shop is closed for one whole day tomorrow. Its in the oven for a late tea.

Have repotted my strawberries, they are going to live in the little greenhouse, in the faint hope that some fruit ripens. For last years 50p dead b&q ones, they haven't half grown and made more plants!

Girliefriendlikesflowers · 15/04/2017 16:59

November born people are the best (Cag* Wink glad the scan went well.

We have had a quiet day which has been good really as it forced me to catch up on quite a few jobs at home that i never quite get round to doing!! Did pop to the co op for a top up shop which came in at £13, will hopefully see us through to next week though with what we have in already. Also put the car through the car wash £5.50, its come out looking like a different car Blush

Am trying to get dd to make some Easter decorations but she is not feeling very inspired Easter Smile

Here is a pic of my lovely borders Grin

Frugaleers saving and chatting through April
SnugglySnerd · 15/04/2017 17:07

DD is loving being a big sister, Waitresses but the novelty probably hasn't worn off yet!

Fluffy our ancient cat is almost as much work as 3 kids!

Congratulations, Cag!

ememem84 · 15/04/2017 18:08

Hooray cag congratulations!!! X x x

£23 in Waitrose on fruit, brown rice and prawn crackers. Dm gave me some fig syrup stuff. It looks rank but lll give it a go. Also bought some fibragel. Apparently that helps too.

£25 riding.

Red Thai curry for tea with tonnes of veg crackers and cashews.

Drunk loads of water today. 😀😀💦💧

Fluffycloudland77 · 15/04/2017 18:45

Well done girlie, our garden has no borders!.

£39 premier inn room in Stockport. I'll have breakfast in the nearby tescos to save money. I'm not paying £9 for breakfast Hmm]. I'll take snacks and some beer etc. Just need something for the evening.